Republican Sen. Jerry Moran is continuing the push that Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar started to end the Cuban embargo. On Thursday, Sen. Moran, with Sen. Angus King, introduced the Cuba Trade Act, a new bipartisan attempt to allow American trade with Cuba that will be more palatable to the Republican majority in Congress.

Back in February, Sen. Klobuchar of Minnesota introduced her Freedom to Export to Cuba Act to end the half-century-old embargo on Cuba. Despite having bipartisan support, the bill languishes in the Senate.

Yet, Sen. Moran of Kansas and Sen. King, an independent from Maine, hope to revive the push with a new bill that addresses some concerns of those against opening up to Cuba, McClatchy DC reported.

The new Cuba Trade Act introduced on Thursday "would grant the private sector the freedom to export U.S. goods and services to Cuba while protecting U.S. taxpayers from any risk or exposure associated with such trade," according to a press release from Sen. Moran office.

The bill allows American corporations, small businesses and farmers to free trade with the island. It also allows banks to give credit to Cuba but ensures the taxpayer does not have cover the costs if Cuba defaults. This provision -- as well as the one ensuring federal money is not spent promoting trade or market development in the island -- is meant to appeal to those unsure about ending the embargo.

"Cuba is only 90 miles from our border, making it a natural market for our nation's farmers and ranchers. By lifting the embargo and opening up the market for U.S. agricultural commodities, we will not only boost the U.S. economy but also help bring about reforms in the repressive Cuban government," Sen. Moran said in the press release.

"I am hopeful that increasing the standard of living among Cuban citizens will enable them to make greater demands on their own government to increase individual and political rights."

Senators from farming and ranching states back opening up Cuba because it gives their states' economies a new market in which to sell their products.

"Cuba buys $150 million of wheat every year (from the European Union). They're buying it and they're paying for it, they're just not paying the United States for it," Sen. Moran said

Sen. King has argued the United States should start trading with the island, because China has increasingly gained influence over the Cuba's trade, which worries him.

However, the bill still needs to survive the Republican-controlled Senate and House of Representatives. Many Republicans, and a few Democrats, oppose the Obama administration's push to reestablish relations with Cuba; most prominent among them is Florida Republican, Sen. Marco Rubio.

Sen. Rubio has vocally opposed the administration's negotiations and expressed worry over human rights violations. He has gone so far as to say he will block any ambassadorial nominees until the Cuba issue is resolved.

Nonetheless, the bill's sponsors see it as a move forward that will benefit the U.S. economy.

"The Cuba Trade Act would finally end our outdated embargo policy and establish a new economic relationship with Cuba that will support increased trade for American businesses and help the Cuban economy and its people to flourish. It's past time we take this step forward, and I hope Congress will act to help bring our relationship with Cuba into the 21st century," Sen. King said.

A Pew Research poll from early this year found 66 percent of Americans favor ending the trade embargo. Latinos, in particular, believe the embargo should end with 73 percent favoring open trade.